Nigerian President Yar’Adua is dead
The death of President Yar’ Adua was announced yesterday. A presidential aide and the information minister confirmed his death. Mr Yar’Adua, 58, who became president in 2007, had been ill for some time.
The government announced seven days of national mourning and said the president would be buried on Thursday.
Under the constitution, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, in charge since February, is to be sworn in as leader.
The Nigerian Television Authority interrupted its normal programming to announce the news, in a brief statement early on Thursday.
The announcer said: “The president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, died a few hours ago at the presidential villa.
“Security aides notified the national security adviser, General Anou Bissou, who immediately called the acting president. The late president has been ill for some time.”
Mr Yar’Adua, a Muslim, will be laid to rest later on Thursday in his home state of Katsina, in the north of the country.
A spokesman for Mr Jonathan said the acting president received the news with “shock and sadness”.
Reports from Nigeria said Mr Yar’Adua died between 2100 (2000 GMT) and 2200 (2100 GMT) on Wednesday in the capital, Abuja.
Obama tribute
US President Barack Obama led tributes from world leaders.
Mr Obama praised “President Yar’Adua’s profound personal decency and integrity, his deep commitment to public service, and his passionate belief in the vast potential and bright future of Nigeria’s 150 million people”.
UMARU YAR’ADUA
Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua - 29 July 2009
Born in northern Katsina state in 1951
University chemistry professor before entering politics
Married, with nine children
Elected president in 2007 promising reforms
Fell ill repeatedly while in office
Obituary: President Umaru Yar’Adua
Profile: Goodluck Jonathan
Yar’Adua dead: Your comments
In November, Mr Yar’Adua went to a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for several months, during which time he was not heard from, apart from a BBC interview.
He told the BBC by telephone in January that he was recovering and hoped with “tremendous progress” to resume his duties.
A presidential spokesman said at the time that he was being treated for acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart.
His long absence and the lack of detailed information about his health led to a political limbo in Nigeria that was only filled when Mr Jonathan was named acting president.
source: bbc
